EIG US and Global COVID Update | March 25, 2021

With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these updates to make sense of the changes happening across the world. Please share these updates with your colleagues who may find this information helpful, too.

International Updates

Colombia | President Ivan Duque announced new restrictions on movement to thwart a third wave of COVID-19. From March 31 – April 5, restrictions include limits on visiting local commerce centers and overnight curfews.

Iceland | On Wednesday, the government tightened COVID-19 restrictions reducing how many people can gather in public, as well as closing businesses, public places, schools, and universities.

Ireland | On Tuesday, March 23, Ireland’s government announced that from 4 AM on March 26, hotel quarantines would be required for passengers whose journeys originated in the following 33 countries: Angola, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Eswatini, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela. Read more >>

Japan | The government lifted the state of emergency as of March 21. However, strict travel restrictions remain that bar most new foreign entry into Japan. Foreign tourists and non-resident foreign business travelers remain prohibited. Japanese citizens and foreign residents with a reentry permit are generally allowed to reenter but must comply with strict pre and post-travel testing requirements and self-quarantine upon arrival.
Regardless of the international point of origin, all travelers entering Japan remain subject to a 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival and are prohibited from using public transportation, including domestic flights, taxis, and rail. Travelers arriving from certain areas or without proof of pre-departure COVID-19 testing may be required to quarantine for a period of time in a government-designated location.

Portugal | On Thursday, the government extended the state of emergency for an additional 15 days until mid-April.

We will continue to send updates daily or as more COVID-19-related news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or in past updates or want to hear more about a different topic, just reply to let us know. If you have specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.